News Briefs : June 9

Big turnover for IRT Harness Jewels

Turnover for the IRT Harness Jewels at Cambridge Raceway was  around $2.7m, not including figures from Australia. It was made up of over $1.1m off course, $1.3m through fixed odds betting, and $167,000 on-course. Total turnover was the third highest of the season behind NZ Cup day and Show Day. 

Cullen’s success mirrors All Stars' strike-rate

Wins by Bettor Twist, A Bettor You, and Akuta gave Hayden Cullen three training successes for the day in his first IRT Harness Jewels since taking over the All Stars establishment, previously run by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen. The two operations now have remarkably similar statistics for the season. In the first part of the season All Stars had 53 wins from 209 starts and $1,896,062 in stakes, while Cullen currently has 52 wins from 207 starts, and $1,713,237 in stakes.

Auction closes tonight

The latest Standardbred gavelhouse.com auction closes tonight. There are 11 horses for sale, including trotter Tom Brady who’s had a win and a second in two career starts for Gavin Smith. Earlier today it was at $7250. The auction closes at 7pm Wednesday.

World record in Ohio

This Is The Plan etched himself into harness racing history books as the fastest horse to ever win on a half-mile track. He won the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie in 1:47.3 Saturday at Northfield Park, Ohio lowering the track record by over a second. His fractions were 26.2, 53.3, 1:20.3 and 1:47.3 as This Is The Plan won by over five lengths.

New York legend dies

After a career spanning six decades and more than 4000 wins, Ben Webster has died in New York, aged 81. Regarded as one of the great drivers Webster’s triumphs included the Hambletonian, the Little Brown Jug, the Messenger Stake and the Kentucky Futurity. In all he won 4228 races with stakes totalling more than $50m.

Tourette’s fund-raiser at Addington

Addington Raceway will host a fund-raising race night for the Tourette’s Association on June 25. More than 200 guests are expected at the Terror To Love Lounge, with tickets for buffet and drinks at $135pp. For more information contact Bryce (C4 Events) on 021616601.